Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2007

Cumberland, OH (June 6, 2007) – Selected as the top item on the Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism’s “Top 101 Things To Do In Ohio,” the Wilds’ Sunset Safari experience is now available to visitors every Saturday June through September.

“Twilight is an extraordinary time at the Wilds.” said Bobbie Dozer, Director of Visitor Operations. “We’ve created this special visitor experience as an excellent opportunity to see and photograph the animals when they are most active, and when the light is beautiful.”

The Sunset Safari experience begins with a buffet dinner on the deck of the Overlook Café, with stunning views of the Wilds’ 10,000 acres of rolling hills.

Following dinner, guests board an Open Air Safari Transport for a guided tour through the Wilds’ expansive animal management area, where animals such as rhinos, giraffes, zebras and antelope roam in large natural habitats. Evening is feeding time, and visitors will have exceptionally close-up experiences with the animals, providing excellent photo opportunities.

The Sunset Safari tour includes a stop at the Mid-Sized Carnivore Conservation Center to view work in progress as the center is prepared for its grand opening later this summer. An elevated observation deck is now available for viewing cheetahs and African wild dogs during the center’s completion.

The Sunset Safari also includes a stop at the Rhino Management Complex for a behind-the-scenes look at the important conservation work taking place at the Wilds.

Sunset Safaris take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, dinner is served inside the Overlook Café, and visitors will board a closed Safari Transport vehicle.

Sunset Safaris run from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. (4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in September) every Saturday June through September. Cost is $55 per person for Wilds members and $60 per person for non-members.

Sunset Safari experiences are limited to 80 people. Advance reservations are required, and can be made by calling the Wilds at 740-638-5030 ext. 2286, or e-mailing reservations@thewilds.org.

The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers in the world, with a mission to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience. Located in southeast Ohio, the Wilds is home to rare and threatened wildlife from around the world.

General visitor hours for Safari Transport tours at the Wilds are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday in June, July, and August, and weekends only in September and October.

Further information is available by visiting www.thewilds.org.